Display frame



April 13, 1943. H. s. PIPER DISPLAY FRAME Filed Feb. 10. 1942' Inventor Patented Apr. 13, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISP AY Henry I Piper, nneapq is. Application February 10; 1942, SjerialNo. 45305266' 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements indisplay frames for use in framing pictures, printed matter, and the like, especially for window advertising display.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a frame which may be inexpensively constructed of pliable, foldable material, such as cardboard, folded to interlock with a mat so that the mat and the folded frame parts are securely held in place without the use of glue, or other adhesive means.

Another object is to provide a frame of the character and for the purposes above set forth, and a mat, which are strongly reinforced by interfolding into interlocking relation.

Still another object is to provide a frame and mat which may be quickly and easily assembled in interlocking relation and either stood upright or suspended as desired.

Other and subordinate objects are also com prehended by my invention, all of which, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a preferred embodiment of my improved frame,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale, and

Figure 4 is a view of the blank from which the frame is formed.

Reference being had to the drawing by numerals, my improved frame as illustrated therein is preferably constructed of cardboard and in the form of a rectangle from a single piece of such material to embody a back panel I, top and bottom ends 2, and sides 3. The back panel is cut out above its transverse center to provide a hanger tab 4 having an upper free end apertured, as at 5, for suspending the frame from a nail or the like, not shown.

A standard 6, in the form of a stiff strip of cardboard is provided for bracing the frame so that it may he stood on its bottom end 2 in rearwardly inclining position, said standard being inserted through a transverse central slit 1 in the back panel I to extend upwardly into the frame above said slit, and outwardly and downwardly of the frame from the slit to form a flexible leg for supporting the framein a manner which will be understood. The standard 6 is crimped in the slot 1, as shown at 8, to interlock the same with the back panel I against slipping, the arrangement being such that said standard may be pulled out of the slit I and thus detached, if desired, when the frame is hung on a wall or the like.

The top and bottom ends 2, and the sides 3 of the frame are each formed by folding the piece of cardboard along its edges first; forwardly to provide a forwardly extending flange 9, then inwardly to provide a front facing flange It, and then outwardly of the frame to provide a tongue flange II spaced from and behind the facing flange Ill and narrower than the latter.

A mat is provided comprising in this instance a rectangular panel I2 appropriately die cut and of the proper size to fit between the flanges 9. The panel I2 is provided with a front inturned edge flange l3 around the same between which and the body of the panel I2 the tongue flanges I I are inserted in the described folding operation so that the front panel I2 of the mat is interlocked with the tongue forming flanges II. The flange I3 is formed by folding the outer edges of the panel I2 forwardly and inwardly and stitching adjacent the fold, as at M.

As will be understood, the described mat is placed in the frame and the top and bottom ends 2 and sides 3 of said frame are then folded in the manner described, each separately.

The described frame may be formed from a cardboard blank such as shown in Figure 4, forming the back panel I and suitably cut at its corners to provide end and side forming flaps 2 and 3, and slit in the body thereof,'to form the described tab 4 and slit 1. The flaps 2, 3 are designed to be folded along the dash lines g, h to form the described flanges 9, I8, II. The said flaps 0 may be formed with narrow end tabs i for folding inwardly along the inner faces of the flanges 9, as indicated at I5 in Figure 2.

It will now be seen that my improved frame provides an inexpensive device which may be used for framing a picture without using mucilage or glue, and quickly assembled, and which when assembled securely holds the mat against slipping out of place, likewise a picture, and is strongly reinforced against warping or tearing.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suflice to impart a clear understanding of my invention, together with the manifold advantages thereof.

Although my invention has been set forth in specific terms and a single embodiment illustrated as exemplifying the same, it is to be understood that right is herein reserved to changes in form, shape and construction falling within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is: v

1. In a frame of the class described, a back panel having top, bottom and side portions folded upon themselves and each including a forwardly extending flange, an inturned angularly related front facing flange, and a tongue forming flange integral with the facing flange and spaced behind the same, and a mat fitting within the forwardly extending flanges and having an inturned surrounding edge flange overlying the tongue forming flanges between the same and the facing flanges whereby said mat is 'interlocked with said tongue forming flange.

2. In a frame of the class described, a back panel having top, bottom and side portions folded upon themselves and each including a forwardly extending flange, an inturned angularly related front facing flange, and a tongue forming flange integral with the facing flange and spaced behind the same, and a mat fitting within the forwardly extending flange and having an inturned surrounding edge flange overlying the tongue forming flanges between the same and the facing flanges whereby said mat is in terlocked with said tongue forming flanges, the back panel of said frame having a transverse central slit therein, and a standard forming strip'of cardboard inserted upwardly through said slit and crimped in the slit for supporting the frame in upright position.

HENRY S. PIPER. 

